By Wes Durham
Managing personal finances is a key to success for every household. To help Phillips residents accomplish this, Waite House Neighborhood Center (Pillsbury United Communities) offers a free, 6 part Financial Empowerment Program including Budgeting, Loans, Debt Management, Banking Strategies, and Savings and Retirement Plans. Thirteen neighborhood residents recently participated in this.
Chris Elfering designed the program and led this first session. He is from Mission Continues which places returning military veterans into community service positions. This was a no-brainer for Chris, a former financial advisor. He talks about the importance of developing sound money management habits “one of my biggest motivations for becoming a financial advisor after the Army was to understand my own finances better. Personal finance is rarely taught in the school system or by our own parents. After working with clients, I quickly realized the real need to understand money management.”
Participants received Certificates of Completion and were entered in a drawing for these generously donated prizes: a refurbished computer by Free Geek, a $20 Gift Card by Welna Ace Hardware, and a $10 Gift Card from Pow Wow Grounds Coffee Shop.
Graduate Lorna Hammond described the series as “important for everyone to attend. This information is helpful to a lot of people.”
Waite House will continue this program. The 6 week series is offered in English and Spanish. Info: Chris or John at 612 ”“ 721 -1689.
